Glossary Archive

Easement Maintenance Responsibility An easement is a legal right to use someone else's land for a specific purpose. Maintenance responsibility refers to the obligation to maintain the easement area and ensure it remains functional and accessible. In general, the easement maintenance responsibility can fall upon either the owner of the dominant estate (the property benefiting...

Easement Termination Agreement An Easement Termination Agreement is a legal document that formally ends an easement, which is a right to use another person's land for a specific purpose. Easements can be created for various reasons, such as allowing access to utilities, driveways, or pathways, and may be temporary or permanent in nature. Easements can...

Economic Loss in Arbitration Economic Loss in Arbitration refers to the financial damages that a party may claim as a result of a breach of contract or failure to fulfill obligations, specifically within the context of an arbitration proceeding. This type of loss often encompasses direct monetary losses such as lost profits, lost business opportunities,...

Economic Obsolescence Clause An Economic Obsolescence Clause is a provision included in a lease agreement or a mortgage that allows for adjustments in rent or mortgage payments due to external factors that negatively impact the value of the property. This clause recognizes that certain conditions outside the control of the property owner—such as changes in...

The elective share is a legal provision that allows a surviving spouse to claim a portion of the deceased spouse's estate, regardless of the terms set forth in the deceased's will. This concept is designed to protect the surviving spouse from being disinherited and to ensure a minimum level of financial support after the death...

The Elective Share Statute is a legal provision that allows a surviving spouse to claim a portion of the deceased spouse's estate, regardless of what is stated in the decedent's will. This statute is designed to protect the surviving spouse's financial interests and ensure they receive a fair share of the marital assets. In Texas,...

Eminent Domain Eminent domain is the inherent power of the state or a governmental entity to take private property for public use, with compensation provided to the property owner. This legal doctrine is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that private property shall not be taken for public use, without...

Eminent Domain Compensation Agreement Eminent Domain Compensation Agreement refers to a legal arrangement that outlines the compensation provided to property owners when their property is taken by the government or its agents for public use under the power of eminent domain. This power allows the government to expropriate private property, provided that the property owner...

Probate Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's estate is administered and distributed. This process involves validating the deceased’s will (if one exists), identifying and valuing the estate's assets, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries. The probate process typically begins when the...

Employment Agreement An Employment Agreement is a formal contract between an employer and an employee that outlines the terms and conditions of employment. It typically includes details regarding job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, duration of employment, confidentiality obligations, and grounds for termination. An Employment Agreement serves to protect both the employer and employee by clearly defining...